The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the statutory mandate
to collect hydrographic data in support of nautical chart compilation for safe navigation
and to provide background data for engineers, scientific, and other commercial and
industrial activities. Hydrographic survey data primarily consist of water depths,
but may also include features (e.g. rocks, wrecks), navigation aids, shoreline identification,
and bottom type information. NOAA is responsible for archiving and distributing the
source data as described in this metadata record.